HOT DOCS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF LEADING DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMER SEAN FARNEL TO POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is proud to announce that, from an international field of highly talented applicants, leading documentary programmer Sean Farnel has been appointed the organization's new Director of Programming. Currently a staff programmer specializing in documentary films and learning programmes with the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG), Sean will be assuming this newly created post at Hot Docs in November.

"I've been a fan of Hot Docs for several years, and am excited about contributing to this wonderful organization's continuing success," says Farnel. "Documentaries have good work to do in this world, and Hot Docs will remain devoted to engaging filmmakers, the doc industry and a broad public audience in diverse and compelling ways."

As Director of Programming, Sean's extensive knowledge of the international documentary industry and his programming expertise in the genre will further refine the festival's offering of 100+ films in official competition and retrospective programmes, as well as its slate of professional development industry programming. Leading Hot Docs' stable of established programmers, he will ensure that Hot Docs continues to bring the best non-fiction cinema from around the world to Toronto audiences.

Hot Docs Executive Director Chris Mc Donald praises Sean's discerning taste, saying, "Sean has gained respect both locally and internationally for his skill at programming quality films and championing them to audiences. He has a loyal following of doc-lovers in the city who trust that his choices will always prove challenging, thoughtful and rewarding."

A Cinema Studies graduate of Concordia University, one of Canada's top film schools, upon graduation Sean received the Motion Picture Foundation of Canada Award for Outstanding Achievement. In 2000, he became the first dedicated documentary programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival Group, and during his five-year tenure he played a leadership role in introducing many core films of the recent documentary new wave, including SPELLBOUND (USA, 2002), THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL (Germany, Mongolia, 2003), THE YES MEN (USA, 2003) and GUNNER PALACE (USA, 2004). Through his position, he has built valuable relationships with the new generation of talented, committed documentary filmmakers and is an active supporter of their work. Additionally, Sean was instrumental in developing TIFFG's film education policy, as well as programming and hosting their popular Talk Cinema series. In addition to his TIFFG duties, Sean also founded and currently programmes Hot Docs' hugely popular monthly screening series, Doc Soup, and will continue to do so in his new capacity.

Louise Lore, Co-Chair of Hot Docs' Board of Directors, says of Sean's appointment: "We welcome Sean as Hot Doc's new Director of Programming and we're confident that he'll make a great addition to our already powerful team. This new position, and the high caliber of person who will be shaping it, are a testament to the success of the festival and its continued growth. Sean will lead Hot Docs into an exciting new era."